Patrick Oconnell
While it is unclear what type of cheese is used in jails, it is evident that cheese is a popular food item among inmates. Prisoners have been known to make their own cheese, using methods such as boiling milk in the microwave and adding vinegar, or collecting whey from cartons of milk. Inmates also seem to have access to various types of cheese, including cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, and squeezable cheese, which they use in recipes such as grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, and ramen dishes. Some inmates even use cheese to make cheesecake, substituting a crust made from crushed oatmeal cream pies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Grilled cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, squeeze cheese, powdered cheese sauce, City Cow cheese spread, etc. |
| Food items | Pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, ramen, bagel sausage sandwiches, burritos, cheesecake |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized milk, lactic bacteria, vinegar, curds, whey, ramen, Doritos, pork rinds, refried beans, tortilla, etc. |
| Preparation | Boiling milk in the microwave, adding vinegar, separating curds, straining whey, using a colander, pressing cheese, etc. |
| Availability | Inmates make their own cheese due to limited access to everyday foods. Cheese is also available in prison commissaries and dining halls. |
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What You'll Learn
Inmates making cheese in cells
The urge to eat cheese is so strong that many prisoners have figured out how to make it in their cells. One prisoner wrote about his method of making cheese, which was verified by a former prison worker. The prisoner's only resources were small cartons of milk from the kitchen, and he made his cheese without any culture or rennet. He had to use pasteurized milk, so he isolated the good lactic bacteria from his surroundings to produce cheese.
The prisoner described his process in detail: he would collect the whey from an unopened half-pint carton that had rested at room temperature for 48-50 hours. If the whey smelled bad or the block of curd was floating, he would discard it. He would then pour the whey into a fresh carton and place it in warm water to encourage the milk to curd. He would also experiment with ageing the whey for a few extra days to develop more lactic acids and bacteria.
The prisoner also provided instructions for creating a drainer and press with limited resources. He used two Styrofoam cereal bowls, one with holes made by a pencil, and the other to catch the whey. He formed the cheese in a lid, such as a cereal bowl lid, and then used a cloth or paper bag on the cheese. Once it had dried, he removed the mould and pressed it between absorbent papers.
The prisoner acknowledged that his cheese could only be classified as "'like' real cheese," but he was proud of his ingenuity in creating it with limited resources. He also noted that making cheese provided a creative outlet and a way to pass the time while deprived of everyday pleasures.
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Grilled cheese sandwiches
Inmates have also shared their experiences with grilled cheese sandwiches, with some adding slices of dill pickle to their sandwiches. Others have mentioned the use of oven-baked grilled cheese sandwiches in nursing home kitchens, which are easier to make in large batches. One person recalled the grilled cheese sandwiches made by their mother, who worked in a jail dining hall, as the best they had ever tasted.
Various types of cheese are used in prison grilled cheese sandwiches. In Ohio prisons, cheese is provided in squeeze bottles, and inmates can also obtain original cheddar cheese. Some inmates prefer to use shredded mozzarella, while others opt for squeeze cheese or powdered cheese sauce. Prison recipes often involve ramen noodles, crushed pork rinds, refried beans, and various types of chips, which are combined with squeezable cheese to create unique dishes.
While some prisons may frown upon inmates making cheese due to the potential for mess and the use of kitchen resources, it is a creative way for prisoners to satisfy their cravings for everyday foods.
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Pizza with shredded cheese
While there is no specific information about pizza with shredded cheese in jail, it is possible to piece together a picture of cheese in prison and how it might be used on a pizza. Firstly, it is important to note that prisoners have been known to make their own cheese. This is due to the strong desire for cheese, which leads to creative approaches in its absence. In one instance, a prisoner wrote about making cheese with only small cartons of milk, without any culture or rennet. They had to isolate good lactic bacteria from their surroundings to produce cheese.
This ingenuity with cheese-making in jails is further evidenced by another letter, which describes a method of making cheese by boiling milk in a microwave, adding vinegar, and then boiling again until curds form. This cheese, however, is not shredded.
Now, let's turn our attention to pizza. Pizza is a dish that prisoners do make, and one recipe describes using a cardboard base with butter, spread out to form a crust. For the sauce, a combination of various sauces, including Italian-style pasta sauce, hot chili sauce, salsa, and minced onions and garlic, is used.
When it comes to the cheese, the recipe specifically mentions using shredded mozzarella, but any shredded cheese will work. This indicates that shredded cheese is accessible in jails and can be used on pizzas. The recipe also emphasizes the importance of a generous amount of cheese, ensuring a tasty and satisfying pizza.
To enhance the flavor of the pizza, additional toppings can be added. One suggestion is to include crushed red peppers, Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of ranch dressing. With these ingredients, one can create a delicious and flavorful pizza with shredded cheese, even in the confines of a jail kitchen.
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Cheesy ramen
Ramen is a staple food in prisons, and cheese is a popular addition to ramen dishes. While some prisons offer ramen with cheese sauce or squeezable cheese, others allow inmates to get creative with ramen recipes using available ingredients. Here are some ways to make cheesy ramen in prison:
This recipe involves softening two packets of ramen noodles in hot water and opening them up like a sandwich. Spread cheese spread, such as City Cow, on each half of the "sandwich." For the filling, mix tuna or pepperoni with mustard, chili garlic sauce, and either contraband salt and pepper or half of a seasoning packet from the ramen. Pile the filling on one half of the ramen "sandwich," sprinkle with smashed Flamin' Hot Cheetos, and then fold the other half on top. Let it rest for a few moments to allow the flavors to blend.
Orange Porkies
This recipe is from the book "Prison Ramen: Recipes and Stories from Behind Bars" by Clifton Collins Jr. and Gustavo "Goose" Alvarez. Start by crushing ramen noodles and cooking them in hot water. Drain the noodles and save the seasoning packet for another use. Mix the cooked noodles with crushed pork rinds, spicy pork rinds, refried beans, crushed corn chips, and boiling water. Seal the mixture in a bag and let it sit for about half an hour. Finally, remove it from the bag and cover it with squeezable cheese.
This recipe involves cooking ramen noodles and draining them. Mix the cooked noodles with crushed Doritos or actual cheese to form a cheesy sauce. Add in tuna or Jack Mack, and you've got yourself a casserole!
Prison Pizza
While this isn't specifically a ramen dish, it's worth mentioning as it involves a creative use of ramen and cheese. To make the crust, mix cardboard with butter and spread it out. For the sauce, combine various sauces, minced onions, minced garlic, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Apply a generous amount of sauce and cheese to the crust, and add your desired toppings.
Homemade Cheese
Some prisoners have even figured out how to make their own cheese. One method involves boiling milk in the microwave and then adding vinegar. Stir gently, and once the separation occurs, boil it again until curds form on top. Let it cool, and then pour off the whey. Continue pouring while lightly pressing the curds with a spoon.
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Cheesecake with powdered milk
While there is no direct information on cheesecakes with powdered milk in jails, it is known that prisoners have been able to make their own cheese. This is done using small cartons of pasteurized milk, with no culture or rennet, and improvising with other available resources.
Now, for the cheesecake with powdered milk, it is indeed possible to make one. You can make your own condensed milk using powdered milk, which can then be used in a cheesecake recipe. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Ingredients:
- Powdered milk
- Water
- Sugar
Instructions:
- Mix 1 cup of powdered milk with 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water. This will give you the consistency of condensed milk. Adjust the amount of water slightly depending on your preferred thickness.
- Add sugar to taste. As a guide, use around 1/4 cup of sugar for every cup of condensed milk. You can add more or less, depending on your preference for sweetness.
- Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Your condensed milk made from powdered milk is now ready to be used in your cheesecake recipe!
Tips:
- Use a good quality powdered milk to achieve a more authentic milky taste. Some recommended brands are Nestle Nido, available in Walmart's Hispanic foods section, or SuperBrugsen in Danish stores.
- If you want to avoid the hassle of making your own condensed milk, you can also use ready-made sweetened condensed milk, which is commonly found in stores. However, keep in mind that it contains a high amount of sugar, so you may need to reduce the amount of sugar in your cheesecake recipe.
- If you have access to additional cream or half-and-half, you can use that instead of milk in your cheesecake recipe for a richer dessert.
Warnings:
- Do not use confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar) as a substitute for regular sugar in your cheesecake recipe without making adjustments. The cornstarch in powdered sugar can affect the final product.
- Always ensure you have permission to make food in your jail cell and that you are not breaking any rules.
Enjoy your homemade cheesecake, and remember to share it with your fellow inmates and officers!
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Frequently asked questions
Prisons serve a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, and cream cheese.
Some popular dishes made with cheese in prison include grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, ramen with cheese, and cheesecake.
City Cow, a cheese spread brand sold exclusively in prisons, is a popular choice for sandwiches.
Yes, some prisoners have figured out ways to make their own cheese in their cells using limited resources like small cartons of milk.
Making cheese in prison can be challenging due to the lack of proper equipment and ingredients. Prisoners have to get creative with substitutes, such as using styrofoam bowls for draining and collecting whey.
